John Ruskin once said, “There is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.” As we enter the month of March, that is my mantra. And what’s better at getting your mind off of mud season than to look at ways to refresh your house? In Litchfield County, there are myriad resources for all things related to improving your home; here are but a few.
For 41 years, The Upholstery Shed in New Milford has been furnishing some of the county’s best houses and inns. Not strictly a “to the trade” business, owners Louise Heaton and her daughter Kathy Martin can make just about anything—from curtains, pillows and upholstered walls to custom upholstered furniture—some in their own designs. I use them all the time for my Connecticut projects, as their work is of the highest quality and their lead time is relatively short. Once you use them for a project, you’ll never stop…I am hooked! The Upholstery Shed, 61 Paper Mill Rd., New Milford, (860) 354-5655.
A short distance away, Concept Interiors offers a wide range of home fabrics from which to choose, including companies like Duralee and Highland Court, Romo, and Schumacher, in a very user-friendly space. This is a great alternative to the D&D Building in New York or the Hartford Design Center, especially for a “short order.” They also sell home furnishings, from decorative accessories to case goods. Concept Interiors, 151 Park Lane Rd., New Milford, (860) 354-3708, conceptinteriorsct.com.
What better way to freshen up a space than with a fabulous object, like a mirror, whether it’s for an entry gallery or above a mantelpiece? Greg Randall of R.T. Facts in Kent is a master at employing “found” objects—whether they are industrial parts or salvaged building materials—and creating the most extraordinary furnishings. I especially love his mirrors. There is always an interesting selection throughout his emporium, and if the size isn’t right (and the materials are available) he can also make you a custom mirror. Be sure to look at his custom tables and consoles. The space is a pure treasure trove. R.T. Facts, Old Town Hall, 22 South Main St., Kent, (860) 927-5315, rtfacts.com.
Nothing goes further in a dining room than a gorgeous table. Ian Ingersoll, located in the charming village of West Cornwall, has an impressive collection of “Shaker” style pieces, as well as more contemporary tables made from slabs of English elm with “live” edges, available in a variety of base designs and materials. I particularly like the English elm slab table with the Sera base—very sculptural (and evocative of the work of Richard Serra). Although these designs are a bit ubiquitous these days, the fact that these tables are made by hand, locally, puts them in a league of their own. His desks and cabinets are equally impressive. Ian Ingersoll, 422 Sharon Goshen Tpke., West Cornwall, (800) 237-4926, ianingersoll.com.
For those of us feeling a bit more ambitious in renovating, try Litchfield Hills Kitchen & Bath. Owned by Larry Komisar with designer Don Hodkoski, the website and showroom are chock-full of renovation ideas for kitchens and baths, from classic to contemporary. In addition, they can build home theaters, home offices, custom closets, wet bars, finished basements and garage storage solutions. Litchfield Hills Kitchen & Bath, 262 New Milford Tpke., New Preston, (860) 868-2007, lhkitchenbath.com.
Although I dream of a new kitchen, the most I plan to do this spring is update my appliances to a new Wolf cooktop and a Miele dishwasher. Powerhouse Appliances is hands down the best resource. They make it all very simple: You pick out what you want, they deliver, remove the old and install the new—presto! Powerhouse Appliances, 45 Danbury Rd. (Route 7), New Milford, (860) 355-3116, powerhouseappliances.com.
Once your interiors are ready for spring, you can always start sketching plans for your summer garden. That is, if you can remember where your yard is, under those long-lasting mounds of snow!